AZ ALKMAAR MATCH REPORT
Sunderland won their first game back in Europe in 53 years. A penalty from Enzo Le Fee was enough to see the Black Cats take the victory despite them having several chances to extend it by the end.
The tie marked the first time Sunderland played a European game at the Stadium of Light. Regis Le Bris' side went into the game seeking a better result, after a battling display against Arsenal ended in defeat last time out.
The visitors sat joint top of the league in the Eredivisie and remained unbeaten prior to kickoff. Last season they finished in seventh place and reached the quarter final of the Conference League. In the Europa League, they have been quarter finalists three times, a semi finalist once and a runner-up.
Le Bris was without Chemsdine Talbi, who was not registered in the European squad, whilst Dan Ballard, Brian Brobbey, Thomas Meunier and Nilson Angulo dropped to the bench. Reinildo was in the starting XI as his red card he picked up over the weekend is only for domestic football. Mateo Chavex and Ro-Zangelo Daal were both major doubts for the opponents but both started.
The away side were almost gifted the lead inside 10 minutes. Enzo Le Fee passed the ball straight to Kees Smith who slotted in Daal one-on-one with goalkeeper Robin Roefs. The 'keeper came out quickly, saving with his legs. Following the mistake, the Wearsiders sparked into life and had several chances. Nordi Mukiele’s long ball found Le Fee in on goal. He took the shot on the volley as it came over his shoulder and it was well saved by Jari De Busser. Before a spectacular strike from Kevin Danso was also saved shortly after.
Wilson Isidor created another great chance after spinning his man and running in-behind the Alkmaar defense before finding Le Fee in the middle. His first time strike arrowed off the post. With less than 10 minutes of the first half remaining, Sunderland were once again denied. Le Fee played Trai Hume through on goal but his shot deflected off the defender and then was saved to keep the visitors level going into the break.
The Eredivisie side came out with huge amounts of energy in the early parts of the second half and had an opportunity to break the deadlock. A brilliant piece of skill from Kees Smit saw him have space inside the box and he was able to dig out a shot but it went narrowly wide of the goal. Sunderland found their feet in the game once again after and Hume had another chance to put Sunderland in front. He picked up the ball just outside the box and his strike was saved once again by De Busser, this time with his legs.
With less than 30 minutes remaining Sunderland took the lead via the penalty spot. Le Fee darted past a couple of defenders before pulling the trigger. As he did so, the recovering Seiya Maikuma put his leg out and blocked his strike. The midfielder stepped up to the spot and buried into the bottom left corner, the same place he saw it saved last week.
AZ Alkmaar had several moments to get a leveller, a deflected strike from Daal was wide of goal. Whilst last ditch blocks from both Ballard and Mukiele, and a save from Roefs, stopped Mexx Meerdink. With five minutes still to play, they again somehow didn’t score. Patati’s strike from close range was blazed over the bar after a nice backheel pass found him running in.
With the final minute of the 90, Sunderland should have doubled their lead. Brian Brobbey won the ball on the half way line, his cross eventually found Nilson Angulo who had only a defender on the line to beat. His shot was blocked but found Brobbey but, before he pulled the trigger, it was somehow taken off his feet to keep it 1-0.
FT: Sunderland 1-0 AZ Alkmaar
Sunderland's next game is against Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday at 2PM whilst the visitors play Telstar on the same day in the Eredivisie.
